In the News

Datapoint: How Long Should Labor Last?

February 28, 2014 — The second stage of labor -- known as the "pushing" stage -- can be significantly longer than traditionally estimated, especially when an epidural is used, according to a recent study in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The findings suggest that in healthy pregnancies, many women and their doctors can safely wait longer before considering a caesarean section, forceps delivery or other interventions.

Study Design

University of California-San Francisco researchers reviewed records on more than 42,000 women who had vaginal deliveries without complications between 1976 and 2008. About half of the women had epidurals, which are known to lengthen the second stage of labor.

The researchers calculated the upper limits of labor durations for women who had epidurals and those who did not (Saint Louis, New York Times, 2/5).

Under the new guidelines, doctors should allow women to push for at least three hours during their first time giving birth and at least two hours during subsequent births, unless the woman is too tired. ACOG and SMFM said women who have had an epidural can push even longer if the doctor can see progress (AP/Washington Post, 2/19).

Video Round Up

N.C. Gov. To Break Campaign Promise on Abortion Bills

AP/ABC News 11's Ed Crump discusses how North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) will break his campaign pledge to not sign any abortion restrictions if he signs a 72-hour mandatory delay bill into law. Watch the video

Datapoints

See where states rank on reproductive rights across the U.S. Plus, find out how states are imposing more restrictions on and limiting women's access to abortion. Read more

At A Glance

"Not since before Roe v. Wade has a law or court decision had the potential to devastate access to reproductive health care on such a sweeping scale."

— Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, on a ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld major portions of a Texas antiabortion-rights law. Read more